Nationally there is considerable sentiment that an Ole Miss team, with less talent than the Crimson Tide, will nonetheless top the Tide. The Alabama football team will either ignore such noise or be motivated by it.
Crimson Tide players will go into the game believing Alabama is the better team. The Alabama fanbase seems to agree in the aggregate, but not necessarily at every position group. Let’s take a close look at every position group to see the Tide’s advantages and potential disadvantages.
Not included below is a comparison of the coordinators and position coaches for the two programs. In a game expected to have a close outcome, the performance of the coaching staffs, both in planning and preparation and in-game decisions, could have as much or more impact as player talent.
Alabama Football and Ole Miss Position Groups
OFFENSE
- Quarterback – Advantage Ole Miss with Jaxson Dart No. 2 in the SEC in Total Offense
- Running Back – Based on depth, the advantage is Alabama. Based on one best running back it could be Ole Miss because of Quinshon Judkins. The unknown is whether Judkins will be 100%.
- Wide Receiver – Advantage to Ole Miss based on Jordan Watkins, Dayton Wade, and Tre Harris, if playing at nearly 100%. Harris’ health is a question mark, but he has practiced this week.
- Tight End – Another slight edge to Ole Miss with two big question marks. The highly talented USC transfer Michael Trigg is yet to have much impact in Oxford. Reports are in fall camp, Trigg had been demoted and possibly suspended. He has four receptions this season. Unquestioned is the contribution Memphis transfer, Caden Prieskorn could make. Recovering from an injury, Prieskorn is expected to play in his first Ole Miss game this Saturday. Last season with Memphis, Prieskorn had 48 receptions for 602 yards and seven touchdowns.
- Offensive Line – Based on expected improvement by the Crimson Tide, this one is advantage, Alabama. If that improvement is significant (and it could be) this position group could be a major advantage for the Crimson Tide. The biggest question is will Ole Miss be able to overwhelm Kadyn Proctor again in passing situations.